Flexible mattress.



N. B. BLLERY.

FLEXIBLE MATTRESSl APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21, 191s;

Patented.` July 1, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.. I Il l lLANuuRAPH co.. WASH N,.B. ELLERY.

FLEXIBLE MATTRESS'.

Patented Julyl, 1913.

V2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

QW ///m l APPLLUATION FILED M N. 21, 19131 1,066,092.

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NATnANrnL B. ELLERY, or sAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FLEXIBLE MATTRESS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1 1913.

Application filed January 21, 41913. Serial No. 743,311.

bankments wherein live brush, of either cotton-wood or willow, issecured to and caused to grow on the bank or embankment that is exposedto erosion by rapid currents, and its objects are, first, to provide animproved mattress of the character described that will adapt itself tothe irregularities of the surface below the water, and second, topromote the growth of brush on the bank or embankment that is exposed toerosion by rapid currents for the purpose of preventing such erosion.

For a full and clear comprehension of my invention reference should behad to the drawings forming a part of this specification wherein likenumerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the saidspeciication and drawings, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view o-faportion of a flexible mattress shown in successive stages ofconstruction. Fig. 2 is a cross section of a completed mattress, on anenlarged scale, in position on a bank or embankment to be protected.

The numeral l is used to vdesignate a number of fixed posts and 2 is alongitudinal cable running through the posts 1 and to which is securedthe transverse cables 3. Each alternate cable 3 has its upper end moldedinto one of the posts l and the other end thereof has a weight or anchorI secured thereto. Two longitudinal cables 5 are secured to thetransverse cables 3 and to the network thus formed a number of livebrush rolls 7 are secured by means of the binding wires 8, the saidwires 8 extending from one selvage cable 5 to the other. Concreteorother suitable weights 9 are laid upon the brush rolls 7 and are heldin place by means of cables or wires 10 which are secured to the weights9 and which pass between the rolls 7 and engage the transverse cables 3to which the said rolls 7 are secured. In this manner live brush ofwillow or cotton-wood is secured tothe bank or embankment to beprotected until such time as the said brush shall take root-in the saidbank or embankment. Contact of the live brush with every portion of anirregular bottom or surface is insured 'by the weight of the anchors v5and the weight-s 9.

After the brush has' sprouted'and taken root 1n the .earth of the bankor embankment the agglomeration of roots thus formed constitutes aproper protection for the said bank or embankment against erosion by thecurrents. after the retaining network of ca bles have been corroded bythe action of the Water and are no longer capable of retaining theflexible mat of the live brush in position.,

The live brush ro-lls sprout and take root readily in the earth of thebank or embankment to which they are secured for the reason that thecontact with the earth is insured by the weights 4 and 9 and their rapidgrowth is further facilitated by t-he water in which they are submerged.

It is obvious from the foregoing that I have provided a flexiblemattress that is adapted to serve as a revetment for banks andembankments for the purpose of preventing the erosion thereof by rapidcurrents and also a flexible mattress of the character described that isadapted to maintain a contact with every portion of an irregularsurface. I have also provided means for insuring the growth of brush onbanks and embankments for the purpose described.

The details of construction being so susceptible to variation I do notwish to conline myself to the precise construction shown herein butrather to avail myself of any modification that may properly falllwithin t-he scope of my invention. For instance, it is immaterial inwhat manner the brush is secured to the cables or in what manner theweights 9 are retained. It is the purpose of my invention to secure arevetment of live brush to a bank or embankment, which is exposed toerosion by the action of rapid currents, in such a manner that theyshall be continually submerged and in constant contact with everyportion of an irregular submerged surface of such bank or embankment.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent isl. In a flexible mattress of the characterdescribed, the combination of a plurality of fixed posts in anembankment to be prolio tected against erosion by rapid currents; alongitudinal cable connecting the said posts; lateral cables connectedto the longitudinal cable and having Weights secured to the lower endsthereof; longitudinal cables see cured to the lateral cables; rolls oflive brush secured to the lateral cables; and means for submerging thecables and the ro-lls of live brush secured thereto.

2. In a flexible mattress adapted to serve as a revetment for banks andembankments the combination of a plurality of Xed posts in the bank tobe revetted and above the water line; a longitudinal cable secured t0and` connecting the Xed posts; lateral cables having Weights secured tothe loWeil end of each alternate cable secured to the fixed posts andthe longitudinal cable; longitudinal selvage cables secured to thelateral cables; live brush rolls Secured to the lateral cables andbetween the longitudinal selvage cables; and Weights secured to thelateral cables and adapted to submerge the lateral and selvage cablesand the live brush secured thereto.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my signature in the presence of tWosubscribing Witnesses.

NATHANIEL B. ELLERY.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR W'HITE, CHAs. F. DUISENBERG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

